This edition of EcoNews brings you the Conservation Council’s reaction to the creation of a cabinet committee on climate change and the 2017-2018 provincial budget, and news about another pipeline spill, a study on fracking and fish and new research on forestry management and deer. Be sure to check out the list of upcoming events that are sure to inspire.
Conservation Council hails cabinet committee on climate change
The NB government announced on Jan. 27, 2017 that it has established a cabinet committee to oversee action on the provincial climate plan. Direct involvement across departments driven by leadership by the Premier and Cabinet ministers was a recommendation made by the Conservation Council in its July 2016 report, “A Bold, Made-in-New Brunswick Plan to Address Climate Change,” which was supported by the three-party Select Committee in its October 2016 report. Read more here.
Lois Corbett on the 2017-2018 provincial budget
The Conservation Council’s Lois Corbett spoke with the Telegraph-Journal about the government of New Brunswick’s budget delivered by Finance Minister Cathy Rogers on Feb. 7. “The government missed an important opportunity when it chose not to increase spending to help low-income families and seniors invest in energy efficiency retrofits for their homes,” said Corbett. Read more here.
The Great Trees of New Brunswick is looking for your great jack pine
Got a great jack pine or another great tree to nominate? The Conservation Council is receiving many great tree nominations for a 2018 book on our great trees but so far our charming scrubby pine is one tree that is missing. We know someone out there has a wonderful story to share about a jack pine. Watch our book teaser here and send your great tree nomination to Tracy at forest@conservationcouncil.ca.
Second pipeline break in Saskatchewan strikes First Nations land
Barely six months after the Husky Oil pipeline break that spilled up to 250,000 litres of heavy oil off the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, another pipeline leak in Saskatchewan on Jan. 20, 2017 spilled 200,000 litres of crude oil onto First Nations land used for agriculture, northeast of Weyburn. Read more here.
NB and Maine researchers to study the effect of forestry management on deer populations
University of New Brunswick researchers and others are conducting a study on our region’s whitetail deer populations. The announcement of the study comes weeks after a 30,000-strong petition calling for a halt in herbicide spraying in New Brunswick’s forest was submitted to the NB Legislative Assembly. Hunters and wildlife biologists are concerned about declining deer harvest numbers that fell to under 5,000 last season – that’s 1/6th the number of deer that had been recorded in past years. Read more here.
Researchers: Even low levels of chemicals in fracking wastewater harmful to fish
A study by a University of Alberta biologist found fracking wastewater chemical concentrations don’t need to be high to harm fish. The study noted that just 2.5 litres of process water to 100 litres of fresh water had significant impacts on the livers and gills of fish. Read more here.
Upcoming Events!
Shake It Up! Youth Environmental Action Conference – “Shake It up and Take Charge” at the Youth Environmental Action Network conference at Killarney Lake Lodge in Fredericton on Feb. 18. Learn effective tools and techniques to increase peer engagement and awareness in your community and find ways to extend the reach of messaging to different demographics. Click here to register.
Renewables NB Conference – Join Renewables NB for a provincial conference on renewable energy and energy efficiency at The Ville Cooperative in Fredericton on Feb. 25. More information here.
Tideland Film Fest – Kokota: The Islet of Hope is touring New Brunswick in February as part of Tideland Doc Fest. The film will be screened in Sackville, Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John. Reserve your seathere.
Meeting the Truth and Reconciliation Calls To Action – The UNB Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Committee is hosting a public event with Kevin Lamoureux, Associate Vice President Indigenous Affairs, University of Winnipeg on “Meeting the TRC’s calls to action” on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Marshall d’Avray Hall, 143 at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Read more here.